How does faith work?

-

Jesus Himself established the importance of understanding how faith operates, when He said, “According to your faith let it be to you” (Matt. 9:29). Faith that believes is called to become faith that appropriates. The present day has seen a rise of understanding on this subject but mixed with a confusing and distracting flurry of ideas that have often brought misunderstanding and criticism. Is there a biblically balanced approach to “confessing God’s Word in faith“? The writer of this study has moved within the circles of both movements—classical Pentecostal and Charismatic “word of faith” fellowships, and invites examination of a study that may bring hope for such balance.


1. The Words We Speak (Gen. 17:5) God spoke a new name to Abram and thus was arranging that Abram would remember God’s promise each time he heard his new name, “Abraham.“

2. Faith When Facing Delays (Num. 13:30; 14:69) Caleb knew they could enter the land God gave them; and thus, forty years later, he did possess God’s provision.

3. Silencing Unbelief (Josh. 6:10) We cannot help what we see and hear, but our refusal to speak doubt and fear will keep our heart inclined to what God can do.

4. The Meaning of “Faith’s Confession’’(2 Chr. 6:24–31) Surrender and peaceful submission to; God is a pathway to your prayer’s being received by God.

5. “Acceptable” Speech Before God (Ps. 19:14) We are to speak the words that confirm what we believe about God, His love, and His power.

6. Wise Words Bring Health (Prov. 16:23, 24) God’s wisdom teaches our hearts and then flows out of our words and conduct.

7. Keeping Your Confession Without Hypocrisy (Matt. 15:79) Living faith requires that the mouth and heart be together to avoid hypocrisy.

8. Jesus on ” Faith’s Confession’, (Mark 11:2224) Faith’s confession first seeks God’s intention and is spoken as a release of God’s creative word of promise.

9. Jesus’ Name: Faith’s Complete Authority (Acts 3:6) When we pray in faith, let us confess His deity and lordship as we speak His name.

10. Calling for “Great Grace” (Acts 4:33) Grace may also refer to operations of “the power of God” to move mountains.

11. Continuing in Faith As We Have Begun (Rom. 10:9, 10) We accept God’s provisions (contracts) for our needs by signing them with our words.

12. Faith At the Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 11:2326) Faith confesses and appropriates today the benefits that Christ has provided through His Cross (forgiveness, wholeness, strength, health).

13. Faith Exalting Jesus’ Lordship (Phil. 2:911) Our praiseful confession of Jesus releases His power over all evil we face.

14. Understanding Rhema and Logos (Heb. 4:1113) “Logos” has to do with the whole Bible being always true, and “Rhema” has to do with the particular verse or truth that the Holy Spirit makes lively to us in our maturity or service.

15. Faith’s Confession Is Steadfast (Heb. 11:1316) Our worship and walk in His lordship remains a daily celebration.

16. Declaring the Ultimate Victory in Christ (Rev. 12:11) The heart of faith’s confession is in the Word of God and the blood of the Lamb.

Hayford, J. W. (Ed.). (1997). Spirit filled life study Bible (electronic ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Related articles

Popular posts from this blog

Speaking in tongues for today - Charles Stanley

-
Image
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. … But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. … And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. … Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way - 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 28, 30—31 The Lord Jesus Christ had come and gone. The church—newly birthed—was in a transition time. The new covenant was seen as a threat to the Jewish leaders; therefore, there was persecution for those who had chosen to follow Christ. The new religion, in its infant stages, had no Bible, few leaders, and absolutely no support from the government. Astounding that it survived, isn’t it?  How in the world did it survive with so little going for it? Power. Not just a force, but mighty, visible power. This new church
Read more

What is the glory (kabod) of God?

-
Image
2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Scripture places a high value on God 's glory, and it is not hard to figure out why. Since the inherent glory of the Lord is something that He will not share with others (Isa. 42:8), we know that His glory is something that He prizes highly; indeed, He prizes it more highly than anything else. We should, therefore, set the glory of God as the goal and overarching emphasis of our lives. Whatever we lose for the sake of making the Lord's glory known will be worth it when we see the dazzling light and beauty of; the divine glory (28:5; Rev. 21:23). Glory has to do with light and beauty, but those aspects do not sum up what the Bible means when it speaks of the glory of God. Interestingly, the Hebrew word kabod , which is translated into English as "glory," has the root meaning of "weight" or "heaviness."
Read more

The Holy Spirit causes us to cry out: Abba, Father

-
Image
Pentecostés. Óleo sobre lienzo, 275 × 127 cm. Madrid, Museo del Prado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) To bring out the same truth in another way, Paul says God sent Jesus (as a Man) to live under the Law in order “to redeem those under law, that we [Jews and Gentiles ] might receive the full rights [adoption] of sons” ( Galatians 4:5).  By “full rights” or “adoption” he means entering into the privileges and responsibilities of sonship. He uses it also of the sonship of Israel (Romans 9:4). Galatians 4:1, 2 indicate that the son and heir of a wealthy family in Paul’s day would be treated as a slave until he became of age.  Then he would receive the adoption, that is, all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that belonged to an adult member of that family. Adoption was also used in the modern sense, so that Gentiles who were not sons of Abraham became true heirs, true sons of God , by faith.  Jesus died, not just to save us from the fires of hell, but to make it p
Read more